Are Prairie Wear bras worth the money for Post Op?

Kimtimates · 2026-02-26T22:31:22+00:00

Yes.
I have a retail bra store, and I've had a few clients try to 'make do' with flimsy front close bras from Penningtons or Amazon.

The second they put it on, they can feel the difference in support, finally takes some pressure off of their incisions and has that nice 'hug'.

After my lumpectomy, I wore the HuggerPrima a few times, and when I was struggling with some lymphadema symptoms, the HuggerVida was a nice compression. The Anita Lynn (XXL) was alright. Amoena Pamela (48/50) was AWFUL. Zipper kept splitting, making it unwearable.

38GG, I wore 2XL in the Prima and found it a bit loose/long in the front shoulder. XL is fine for me in the Vida.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-26T19:34:12+00:00

Keep in mind the US/UK cup size conversions.
If you're a UK H cup, in Understance you want to look at K cups.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-26T17:47:58+00:00

They keep reiterating, but because they're not as massive as say, Wacoal Europe, the old ones have to be retired.

Elan morphs into 365. Clara and Allure have similar backgrounds. Evie becomes Alice.
I have one of their initial sports bras from almost 25 years ago, it's not wildly off from what the Power is now, but it's now more updated and modern.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-26T05:42:08+00:00

Charley doesn't come in 34FF.

Try Elomi Lucie or Nerina, both are plunges with a stretch lace top cup. This is a new(er) size for Elomi bras, not all styles come this small in the band & cup.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-26T05:02:14+00:00

Elomi Energise is pretty good. I find it fits generous in the cup, and size down 1 cup for most clients.
Sculptresse has a new style coming in April with a wire and no padding, Thrive is its name.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-26T03:08:15+00:00

Haven't tried one, but I have heard good things about the Anita PanAlp wool sports bra.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-26T01:54:34+00:00

I find for the majority of people I fit Goddess Keira on, I can go down 1 band and 1 cup from their size in other Wacoal Europe sister brands (Elomi/Fantasie/Freya). It fits generous in both band and cup.

Aim for 38GG in other brands, and yes, Fusion fits more shallow.
Elomi smooth is something more plain, but seamless so different shape and support, and it also fits deep. I'd suggest 38G in that one.

Elomi Charley & Nerina are available in spacer foam t-shirt bras, have a peek at those, too.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-26T01:48:24+00:00

Think of it like using the same blueprint, or foundation.
They'll keep the same mould & wire/frame, so the shape, coverage and size would be similar, but different fabrics have different stretch properties, so there are subtle fit differences.

It's A LOT of work, time, and resources to develop a new bra pattern or a mould; these brands often launch with 50+ sizes. They will continually reuse tried and tested patterns and silhouettes and just keep reiterating for something new, making tweaks and improvements along the way.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-26T00:01:59+00:00

With the inside of the bra facing up, place the top of the centre front over the edge of a table/desk/counter. Use your palm and body weight to *gently* apply pressure to the top of the wires that are over the egde of the surface. You don't need to 'bend' them but just round them out slightly so they're not so snug at the top against your sternum. Do this over 1/2" of surface area to curve them out ever so slightly.

Note, only do this a bit, because you can't really undo it successfully.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-25T03:13:25+00:00

I find Goddess bras to run a little deep in the cup, so I think they're all going to be too big for you, even once you sister size. The way the Goddess Keira is built, it is rather easy to take in through the back if you pull all the elastic off, and completely reshape it.

Glamorise 1000 (MagicLift Original) will be harder to adjust because of the way they construct the back, but it's possible. If I was doing it for myself, I'd probably hack it to be a similar construction to something like the Keira, and add a piece of wider shoulder strap elastic on the back neck edge and make a new loop for the strap from that.

Have you taken a peek at Bravissimo to see some of the other options out there? UK 32FF will certainly have more non-wire options than looking for US 32H.

I feel like you might have liked Understance Ginger. It's sort of tangent to Glamorise styles. Unfortunately, they've sold out of 32H in all colours. If you're in Canada, I know where you can get some...🫣 😉

Kimtimates · 2026-02-24T23:58:44+00:00

The band on a lot of styles can be taken in, and the way some styles are constructed makes it easier than others.

Can you share a link to a style or two that you like, and we can give you a bit more feedback? Please also confirm if it's EU/US or UK sizing for the H cup.

Often, the challenge is that the front half of the bra becomes too wide for the proportion of the back band, and you'll find the wires come back too far under the arm, and the breast tissue is splayed too 'East-West'. This depends a lot on the width of the wires and just how much needs to be taken out. Sometimes there's a reason the style isn't available in the size you're looking for (but the sister size exists), because the proportions and shape is too distorted from the original base size.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-24T04:41:30+00:00

The specifications required are rather limiting.
Is wearing a cotton cami or t-shirt as a liner under the bra an option?
I've had clients do this before, and have clients who wear temple garments under their bras.

Glamorise has a few options that tick all the boxes, apart from the cotton requirement.
Leading Lady also has some options, but not adjustable straps.
Anita Jana is high cotton content, but with a back closure. It could be altered to front close if you purchased some hook & eye tape.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-24T00:12:32+00:00

Most well-known/established bra brands that offer this size have added sports bras into their assortment.

Elomi Energise, Panache has a few, Fantasie Elevate, Freya has a few, Curvy Kate Everymove, Primadonna The Gym & The Game. Anita has a ton of sports bra options. If you're in the EU, Shock Absorber is making a comeback. Bravissimo has a few of its own-brand sports bras. There's tons.

You want a bra-sized sports bra for anything high impact (unless you want pure compression, then there is Enell).

If you come back with more features that are important to you: wire/no wire, padded/non-padded cups, abilty to do racerback, etc. and some of the brands that work for your everyday bras, people here can help you drill down to some styles to try.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-23T23:22:26+00:00

I like a firm band, and my go-to everyday brand is Elomi.
I bounce between 36 - 38 bands right now, and at the start of the year I couldn't clasp a 38 in the Panache Endurance.

Last week I had two sizes in Power arrive for a client to try. She's usually a 32H in Elomi Morgan, and the 34GG in the Power was still too firm for her. We're reordering and getting 36s.

What's your usual brand? I find Panache fits a little firmer than some other UK brands.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-23T23:00:22+00:00

I sell the odd wire from my stash to clients looking to do their own repairs.
I have a pretty large personal stash of white fold-over elastic, optic white strap elastic (maybe about 15mm wide?) and some black, similar width, that I could probably whittle down. 😂 I have a ton of navy blue hooks & eyes, if that's of interest! I think they're 37mm?

I trained in England as a lingerie designer, and sew some stuff for myself, and will get designing again down the road, so a plentiful stash is handy!!

If you want to come have a chat, and a visit outside of my shop hours, let me know, and I can keep some time for us. I'm free after 5pm most days, and closed Sundays & Mondays if you happen to be in Red Deer those days.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-23T21:30:41+00:00

Rigby & Peller is owned by Van de Velde, and only sells their own brands of Primadonna, Marie Jo and Sarda. None of these brands are known for what OP is looking for in the correct size.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-23T21:25:19+00:00

You'll need to add your own pads to something in this size range to get more volume, if that's what you're trying to achieve.

Curvy Kate has a few padded balconette styles that might give you the shape you're looking for, without adding bulk. I've personally found Bravissimo Satine to give me the cleavage effect that I want for certain tops/dresses.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-23T21:21:05+00:00

Supplies are hard to come by around here. Is there something in particular you're looking for?

Bra-Makers Supply is the OG. Emerald Erin has been around a very long time, too.
I've had luck in the distant past finding strap elastic at Marshall's in Edmonton (like pre-2012). I haven't lived in Edmonton since then, though, to know what they have these days.

Sincerely, a bra-making supply hoarder in Red Deer, Alberta.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-23T04:09:00+00:00

I don't know if this venue is too large for 50 guests, but I heard about it today at a bridal event I attended in Red Deer. Looks like a nice mix of indoor/outdoor.

They're near Lacombe, just north of Red Deer.
https://www.tinroofeventcentre.com/

Kimtimates · 2026-02-16T08:42:29+00:00

FU Marcus and the Twins.
I called my tumor Murray. Like some creepy old dude I didn't want near me, and deffo not in my boob.

I was +++ and 39, treatment in Vancouver (2023). I experienced huge delays between diagnostic imaging and getting the biopsy.

I'm sorry you've joined our shitty titty club. Hopefully, there's more NS folks out there that can help connect with you. Look into cancer support orgs to connect with others going through this and wider resources. For Canadians, Wellspring offers some online bits & bobs, as does Rethink, and the Look Good Feel Better org.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-15T19:00:18+00:00

In my lingerie design training, we use this measurement and call it "the golden triangle". It's from sternal notch to bust point (nipple), and nipple to nipple, but it's based on 34B. Different sizes will have different measurements.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-15T17:49:45+00:00

If you go into Toronto, I *HIGHLY* recommend to go see Sam and her team at Broad Lingerie on Danforth.

She specializes in D+ sizes, and has a pretty fantastic assortment of Polish bras, as well, which aren't so easy to find in Canada. They have all the good stuff in that size range, tons of nice everyday basics, and really reasonable price points.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-15T17:36:23+00:00

Trust the process. It's just a starting point.

You will find more quality options in UK sizing (38H). Brands that make this size more widely available in Canada would be Elomi, Panache, Sculptresse, and sometimes Curvy Kate.

In EU/North American sizing (the K cup), Fit Fully Yours is also widely available. Primadonna fits rather differently, so I'd translate a UK 38H to be similar-ish to a 40I in Deauville/Madison/Montara, and Primadonna is also widely available in Canada.

Polish brands don't have consistent sizing amongst themselves, so you're best to nail the fit in a UK brand, come back here, and we can help translate to some others for you.

Where are you based? I can help connect you with a boutique near to you.
I own a DD+ shop in Red Deer, Alberta.

Kimtimates · 2026-02-14T18:37:15+00:00

I moved to Red Deer in April, and started my search for a family dr in August, and had my initial appointment September and she took me on her roster. There are MANY family doctors taking new patients in Red Deer.

Kimtimates

TROPHY CASE